Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 18.146.2
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1918
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is a religious painting from 1749 that depicts the figure of Buddha, serving as a visual representation of Buddhism. Created by an anonymous artist in Japan, the piece functions as an iconographic study of the faith's central deity. As a religious genre painting, its primary subject matter focuses on the spiritual significance of the Buddha within the Buddhist tradition.
Technique & Style
Created in 1749, this work is executed as a painting on paper. It originates from Japan and is classified within the religious genre, specifically depicting figures associated with Buddhism. The composition portrays the Buddha, adhering to the stylistic conventions of its time and region. The artwork measures 34.9 cm in height and 16.2 cm in width.
History & Provenance
Following its production, the piece eventually entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 18.
Created in 1749 in Japan, this religious painting on paper depicts the Buddha within the context of Buddhism. The work was produced by an anonymous artist, with no specific commission or creation narrative recorded in available documentation. Following its production, the piece eventually entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 18.146.2. The museum currently houses the work, which measures 34.9 cm in height and 16.2 cm in width.
Context
The painting, dated 1749 and executed in ink on paper, belongs to the religious genre of Japanese Buddhist art and is classified as a work by an anonymous painter. Its depiction of Buddha situates it within the broader tradition of Buddhist iconography in East Asia, a context highlighted by scholarly analyses of anonymous devotional images. Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the piece is frequently cited in studies of 18th‑century Japanese painting as an exemplar of devotional practice, reflecting both the spiritual themes and the stylistic conventions of its period.
The work’s provenance and physical dimensions have been documented in museum records, supporting its attribution to the anonymous tradition.
Overview
This untitled work is a painting on paper depicting a golden Buddha figure. The artwork's delicate nature and evident signs of handling suggest it was created not for formal display, but for personal or devotional use. Its worn appearance and the enduring luster of its gold leaf speak to a history of intimate engagement, likely carried or held over an extended period rather than exhibited in a static setting.
Artist & collection
